AN: Surprise! Here's another to make up for my lack of updates!

Disclaimer: Same as always!

After completing the symbol on the door, the two walked down a stone bridge that ended in the middle of the lake. They looked down into the water from the platform.

"Only way to go is down."

Kagome nods her head as she backs up a couple of steps, Link does the same.

Giving each other a quick glance, they run for the edge of the platform and jump off, diving into the depths below. Breaking the surface, Kagome looks around for her friend.

"Link?"

She is unprepared as she feels something grab onto her ankle and drag her under. Looking around with scared eyes, she sees the smiling face of the blond floating beside her. With a glare, she swims back to the surface. Link appears beside her with a smile on his face.

"You jerk!"

Link laughs as he shields himself from her blows.

"That was not funny!"

"I'm sorry," he laughs.

Kagome stops hitting him and just settles for glaring at him. Uncomfortable with the way she is looking at him, Link looks around.

"Look," he says. "A cave, maybe we'll find the Water Dragon in there."

"And maybe the dragon will eat you for being a jerk."

Link gives a weak laugh before swimming in the caves direction. As they get closer to the cave, Link feels himself going a bit faster. Turning around, he grabs Kagome by the wrist and draws her close.

"What the…?!"

"There's a current," he says as he holds her.

The water soon picks up speed, taking them further into the cave. The fast moving water soon begins to roar in the ears. They soon found themselves in the air as the water flowed into a mini waterfall which emptied into a large pool. Breaking the surface, they looked around the large cavern and came face to face with a strange water creature.

"Ack! Another human! OK, OK…I just have to avoid eye contact and back away slowly…"

The strange creature began to swim away from them.

"Wait!"

They began to swim after it. They followed it through a maze of tunnels until it stopped before a boarded up part of the tunnel. The little creature looked at them with an annoyed expression.

"Quit following me, you pests! If you don't move along, I'll be forced to tell Her Excellence the Water Dragon about your little incursion!"

Quickly, the creature swam through a small hole.

"Ha-HA! Didn't see that coming, did you? Yep, there's no way you're going to be able to follow me now! So, what now? Are you going to cry? If you think you can make it through, just go ahead and try!"

Narrowing their eyes, the two look at each other. Link raises an eyebrow at his partner. Kagome responds with a smirk and swims backwards, waving towards the boards. Giving the creature a smirk, Link charges the creature and breaks through the boards.

"GAH! How is that possible? I've never seen a human pull off a move like that! Wait…" the creature takes a close look at Link's neck. "That's a Water Dragon's Scale! Does that make you the emissary of the goddess, like the Water Dragon said."

Link nods his head as Kagome swims up alongside of him.

"Hey, I've got an idea! Maybe you can help Her Excellence!"

They give the creature confused looks.

"It happened really recently. This weirdo came in here with a gang of monster and went after Her Excellence. My lady the Water Dragon is a fierce fighter, and, boy, did she gobble up most of the monster in the first few seconds. Thing is, there were just so many of them! While she was distracted, the weirdo leading all those creatures managed to wound her. She's healing up now, but she says we don't have enough special water for her to make a full recovery. So could you please go talk with Her Excellence and see if you can help her out?"

The two nod at the creature.

"Great, follow me!"

They follow the little creature further into the underwater maze; passing creatures and obstacles until they came upon a large underwater cavern. A large rock formation rose from below the water, the part above was carved into some type of gazebo. In the center of the structure, rests a pot. Pulling themselves from the water, they walk closer to it. A head was peeking out at them.

"Ah! You there, humans! You have intruded into my home, a sacred place few are permitted to enter! This is no place for ones such as you. And yet here you stand! You will explain how you got here, and quickly!"

It was Kagome who responded.

"We're sorry to have intruded into your home," she apologized. "Would you perhaps be the Water Dragon?"

The figure nodded.

"I am. Those with manners address me as Faron, warden of the woods. I was appointed by the goddess herself. Though my current stature is less than, well, intimidating, shall we say, know that you stand in the presence of a loyal servant of the goddess!"

A flash of blue around their necks draws her attention.

"Hmm…I say, those are some of MY scales you have there! A sacred gift such as those could only be carried by the goddess's chosen heroes. But could you really be them?" She eyes them thoughtfully. "This raises questions. Even with that scale in your possession, finding my hall is no easy task…How did you find me?"

They give each other nervous glances, not wanting to tell on the Kikwi. Turns out, they didn't have to.

"Ah, yes…That cackling, old hermit told you where I live, didn't he?"

They nod in unison.

"Honestly, I can't remember how many times I've told that scruffy thing to keep his mouth shut. That's the last straw. Next time I see him, he's dinner!" The dragon takes a calming breath. "Oh, but I digress. You've come here seeking a sacred flame, have you?"

"Yes, ma'am."

She nods her head. "I knew it. She then eyes Link up and down with a critical eye. "But I'll be straight with you. A shrimpy boy like you hardly looks the part of the goddess's chosen hero."

Link glares slightly to the right, where a suspicious sounding cough was heard. The dragon turns her attention to Kagome.

"You look far too dainty to be a warrior, in my opinion."

Kagome feels her eye twitch.

"There's no doubt about it," the dragon sighs. "A test is in order to prove you're everything you say you are. Shortly before your arrival, I was attacked by a pompous creature calling himself Ghirahim. I stood against this self-proclaimed Demon Lord, but I was wounded in the encounter. The wounds he's given me are stubborn things. I have been forced to recuperate in this basin of sacred water. Unfortunately, the healing properties of the sacred water have diminished, and I am now in need of another dose to freshen up my healing bath. Bring me a container of fresh sacred water that I require. Do me this favor, and I'll gladly show you where to find the sacred flame you desire. What say you?"

"We'd be glad to help," Link responds with a slight bow.

Time for Fi's words of wisdom!

"I am analyzing the water remaining in this basin…Excellent. I can now help you dowse for the water type you are searching for.

Exit Fi, stage left.

The Water Dragon motions behind her.

"If you continue down this way, you will find an exit back to the woods. Excellent. Now run along. One does not keep a dragon waiting."

Following the Water Dragon's directions, they emerge from the tunnel and out into a spring. Slightly to the right, stood a bird statue. After activating the statue, they follow the path beside it to a vaguely familiar area. Following the path, they find themselves, once more, at the viewing platform.

"We seem to be coming here a lot."

"I don't mind."

"That's right, you're planning on building a little house around here."

"Only if the Water Dragon lets me."

*Link's Mind Theatre*

Chibi-Kagome has just placed the last tile on her little chibi house when the Water Dragon pops up from behind.

"How dare you build in my domain without permission?!"

CHOMP

There is now a bite mark on the roof and chibi-Kagome is nowhere to be found.

*End Link's Mind Theatre*

Link winces at the mental image.

Shaking himself, he draws his attention to the map.

"You know," begins Kagome. "If we're looking for sacred water, shouldn't we head towards a sacred place?"

Link looks at her from the corner of his eye. "You mean like a temple?"

"Yep."

"Hmmm…" Link closes his eyes in thought. "I do remember there being a pool surrounding the altars of the temples."

Kagome groans. "Does this mean we have to walk through that thing again?"

"Looks like it."

"Damn."

Making their way to the nearest statue, they fly into the air only to come right back down in front of Skyview Temple.

AN: Because I really don't feel like going through that crap again, we're just going to skip ahead to the important part.

As Link collects the sacred water, he turns his head towards Kagome.

"No comment on how convenient this was?"

She waved him off. "I'm saving my breath until this is all over, then I'm going to have a couple words with whoever is behind all this."

"That would be the goddess."

"Right now, she's my sister."

Link chuckles as he put the lid on the jar full of sacred water.

"Let's get this back to the Water Dragon."

"Winglofts?"

"Winglofts. I am NOT going through that crap again."

Before they could move, Fi makes her appearance.

"There is a 95% probability that the water here is identical to the water within the Water Dragon's basin. I suggest we take it to her."

Returning to the sword, Fi magically takes Link and Kagome back to the temple's front door.

Link casts a wary glance at the fuming female at his side.

"You alright?"

"Grrr…"

A sweat drop appears on the back of Links head.

"Why don't we use our Winglofts as a shortcut back to the Water Dragon?"

"Grrr…"

Link activates the statue to take them to the sky where they will simply drop back down in a different area so as to save time.

~* Back at the Water Dragon's Lair *~

Returning to the Water Dragon's lair, they approach her basin.

"Hmm…" she says. "Yes! Just look at that color. There's no doubt this is the water I need. Quickly, boy, pour it into my basin!"

Kagome raises a brow at the dragon. 'Apparently, she's not too keen on using her manners.'

Link walks up to the basin and pours in the water.

The Water Dragon quickly dives into the basin and soon it begins to shake.

A large figure suddenly bursts out of the basin and into the air. It is the Water Dragon in her true form.

"Mmmmmm! Exquisite! I can feel its energy surging through me!" She looks down on the humans before her. "Behold the full majesty of Faron, Water Dragon and guardian of these lands! I stand tall—healed and whole once again!"

'Isn't she the humble one.'

"Humans. You have done well to bring me the sacred water I asked you for. I see now it was no coincidence that you completed the goddess's trial and obtained a Water Dragon's Scale."

'Link actually took the trial, I just meditated.'

"In turn, I will grant you the favor you have asked of me and lead you to the sacred flame of my land. Come."

Faron led through the back entrance of the cave and in front of the waterfall.

"Now…behold."

Facing the waterfall, Faron seems to focus on the water. Plunging her hands into the water, she forces the fall to recede, revealing a hidden door.

"Go," she says. "The sacred flame you seek lies within this place. While the waterfall has barred entrance to this place for many years, monsters have still found a way in…and inside they flourish." She turns to them with a haughty look on her face. "Ah, but you are the goddess's chosen heroes. Swatting a few monsters will be no trouble for you. I imagine you and I will cross paths again. Until then, do not lower your guard. Farewell."

She then leaves them to return to her domain.

Making their way across the gap, the stand before the dark entrance into the structure.

Kagome grabs onto Link's hand.

"One step closer."

Smiling at her and giving her hand a slight squeeze, they begin there descent into the darkness.